THE front of Tavistock Town Hall will again be a mass of illumination when on Friday November 30 the annual ?Trees of Light? are switched on. Each bulb on the three trees will have been sponsored by an individual or family in memory of a loved one or a good cause, with all the proceeds going to local charities ? this year they will be the Children?s Hospice South West and the Tavistock Community Specialist Palliative Care Team. The Trees of Light are organised by Tavistock Lions Club, whose president Jeff Lea, will carry out the switch-on ceremony at 7pm. This will be followed by a short interdenominational service led by local clergy after which the rest of the town centre will then be illuminated with the main Christmas lights. This is the ninth year the Lions Club has organised the trees ? to date, almost £25,000 has been raised. For the fourth year, funeral directors Morris Bros, Tavistock Ltd will be the main sponsor. Elaine Morris and son Simon Luke of the family-owned company said they were delighted to be supporting the project again as it ensured all the money donated was given to the nominated charities. Lions member Roger Lethbridge, the main organiser within the club, said he was very pleased with the continued support from Morris Bros. as well as Tavistock Woodlands, which supplies the main tree, the Times, for publishing the application form, and Tavistock Town Council and staff for their assistance in erecting the trees. Their continued support has helped the club raise a tremendous amount of money ? to date, more than £1,500 has been received for this year from previous donors. Last January, £2,490 was given to both Children?s Hospice South West and the Tavistock Community Specialist Palliative Care Team from the money raised from last year?s trees. Further people wishing to sponsor a light on this year?s trees should fill in the attached form and return it to Roger. A full list of donors will be published in the Times just before Christmas and each one will receive a commemorative card in the New Year.
